Chicken schnitzel is a popular breaded and fried chicken dish that originated in Austria and Germany. It is made by pounding chicken breasts thin, coating them in breadcrumbs or flour, and frying them until golden brown and crispy. Aldi is a grocery store chain that sells many products, including breaded chicken schnitzels that just need to be cooked. Air fryers are small countertop convection ovens that use hot air to circulate around food to cook and crisp it up. Using an air fryer is a healthier cooking method than deep frying in oil. So can you cook Aldi’s breaded chicken schnitzels in an air fryer? The short answer is yes, you absolutely can cook Aldi’s chicken schnitzels in an air fryer.
Benefits of Cooking Chicken Schnitzel in an Air Fryer
Cooking chicken schnitzel in an air fryer has several benefits over frying in oil on the stovetop:
Healthier
Air frying chicken schnitzels uses significantly less oil than pan frying. A thin layer of oil is brushed or sprayed on the schnitzels before air frying rather than submerging them in a couple inches of hot oil like traditional frying. This reduces the amount of fat, calories, and unhealthy oils absorbed into the chicken. Air frying makes a much healthier version of chicken schnitzel.
Easier Cleanup
With air frying, there’s no large pot or deep fryer to monitor and clean up afterward. The air fryer basket gets all the leftover crumbs and oils, which is much simpler to clean than dealing with a large quantity of frying oil. Just wipe out the air fryer basket when done.
Crispy Without Frying
Air fryers can get chicken schnitzels very crispy on the outside while keeping the inside tender and moist. The high heat airflow directly surrounds the food for quick, even cooking and browning. Frying in just a small amount of oil achieves similar crispy results.
No Fryer Odor
Heating up a pot of oil on the stove causes cooking odors that spread around your kitchen and home. Air frying doesn’t require heating up nearly as much oil, so there’s no heavy frying smell. Any mild air frying aromas are contained within the appliance.
Safer
There are some safety concerns that come with pan frying, such as burns from hot oil splattering or knocking over the pan. Air fryers eliminate exposure injuries from hot oil. The food cooks safely inside the enclosed air fryer.
How to Cook Aldi Chicken Schnitzel in an Air Fryer
Cooking Aldi’s breaded chicken schnitzels in an air fryer is simple and easy. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients
- Aldi chicken schnitzels
- Cooking oil spray or brush
- Salt and pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Pat schnitzels dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Lightly spray or brush both sides of each schnitzel with cooking oil. This helps make them nice and crispy.
- Season schnitzels with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Place schnitzels in air fryer basket in a single layer, not overlapping.
- Air fry for 4-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Use tongs to flip halfway through cooking time.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F.
- Remove air fried chicken schnitzels to a plate and serve hot.
The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken and your particular air fryer model. Keep an eye on them as they cook and flip or remove them once they reach your desired level of crispy browned outside and fully cooked interior. Air frying really locks in the flavor and juices.
Tips for Air Frying Chicken Schnitzel
Here are some helpful tips to get perfect air fryer chicken schnitzels every time:
Brush on Oil
Using a pastry brush or paper towels, lightly coat both sides of the schnitzels with a thin layer of oil. This helps facilitate browning and makes the breading extra crispy. Vegetable, canola, olive, avocado or grapeseed oil all work well. Avoid heavy oiling or the breading may get soggy.
Preheat Properly
Always preheat your air fryer fully before cooking chicken schnitzels. This allows the air to heat up to the proper temperature for quick, even cooking.
Don’t Overcrowd
Be sure not to overload your air fryer basket. The schnitzels need room to breathe and cook properly. Overcrowding them leads to uneven cooking. Fry in batches if needed.
Flip Halfway
Flipping the schnitzels halfway through ensures both sides get evenly cooked and crisped up. Use tongs for easy flipping.
Let Rest Before Serving
Once air fried, transfer the schnitzels to a plate and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows them to slightly cool and the juices to redistribute evenly.
Check Internal Temp
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to verify the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Adjust Time As Needed
Cooking times can vary based on the thickness of the meat and your air fryer model. Adjust cook times up or down as needed to get the right crispiness and doneness for your preferences.
Clean Between Batches
Be sure to wipe out any crumbs or oil drips from your air fryer basket in between batches for best results.
Following these tips will give you perfect chicken schnitzels straight from your air fryer!
What You’ll Need
Air frying chicken schnitzel requires just a few simple tools and ingredients:
Air Fryer
Any brand or size of air fryer will work. The basket should be large enough to hold the chicken schnitzels in a single layer without crowding.
Breaded Chicken Schnitzels
Frozen breaded chicken schnitzels from Aldi or any brand can be used. Defrost fully before air frying. Fresh schnitzels also work great.
Cooking Oil
You’ll need a light coating of oil to brush or spray onto the chicken. Any high heat oil like vegetable, grapeseed, olive, avocado, or canola oil is good.
Tongs
Long tongs make it easy to flip the chicken halfway through cooking. Metal tongs work best.
Instant-Read Thermometer
A digital meat thermometer helps check that the chicken reaches safe internal temperature.
Seasonings (Optional)
Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder or other dry spices can be added before air frying if desired.
That covers the basic equipment and ingredients for air frying chicken schnitzel successfully!
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making air fryer chicken schnitzels:
Should I Thaw Frozen Chicken Schnitzel Before Air Frying?
Yes, always thaw breaded chicken fully before attempting to air fry it. Air frying frozen chicken prevents it cooking through properly.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Chicken Schnitzel in an Air Fryer?
Most chicken schnitzels take 8-12 minutes total air fry time, flipping halfway. Thinner cutlets may only need 6-8 minutes. Check internal temp to confirm doneness.
What Temperature Should I Air Fry Chicken Schnitzel At?
375°F is the ideal air fryer temperature for chicken schnitzel. This crisps up the crust nicely without over-browning it.
Can I Air Fry Chicken Schnitzel Without Oil?
You can, but the chicken likely won’t get quite as crispy and browned without a light coating of oil brushed on first. The small amount of oil aids air flow and browning.
What Oil Should Be Used to Air Fry Chicken Schnitzel?
Any high heat oil like vegetable, canola, olive, avocado or grapeseed oil works well. Avoid thick, heavy oils that could make the coating greasy.
How Long Does Air Fried Chicken Schnitzel Last in the Fridge?
Properly stored leftovers will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until hot, 165°F. Don’t microwave air fried foods.
Air frying makes enjoying crispy chicken schnitzel easy and convenient! Follow the tips in this article for perfect results.
Nutrition Information
When air fried, chicken schnitzel is a healthier option compared to deep fried in oil. Here is the nutrition information for a typical air fried chicken schnitzel:
| Serving Size | 1 chicken schnitzel (about 3.5 oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 60mg |
| Sodium | 420mg |
| Carbohydrates | 13g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 24g |
As you can see, air frying significantly reduces the fat, calories, and unhealthy saturated fats compared to deep frying chicken schnitzel while maintaining the protein. So enjoy your crispy schnitzel guilt-free!
Serving Suggestions
Chicken schnitzel is very versatile. Here are some delicious ways to serve your air fried chicken:
- On a hoagie roll with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for a schnitzel sandwich
- With pasta or potato salad for a easy dinner
- Topped with tomato sauce, melted cheese, and pasta
- Slices on top of a fresh salad
- In a pita or wrap with veggies and tzatziki sauce
- Topped with avocado, bacon, and ranch dressing
- Alongside fresh steamed vegetables
- On a bun with pickles, mustard, and fries for a schnitzel burger
- Sprinkled with fresh lemon juice and parsley
Get creative with toppings and pairings! The breaded chicken schnitzel pairs well with so many flavors and textures.
Price Comparison
Air frying chicken schnitzel at home is cost effective compared to buying it pre-made. Here is a price comparison:
| Chicken Schnitzel Source | Price |
|---|---|
| Aldi frozen chicken schnitzels | $4.99 for 6 schnitzels |
| Fresh chicken breasts to bread yourself | $7-10 for 3 lbs to bread ~12 schnitzels |
| Frozen pre-breaded schnitzels other brands | $6-10 for box of 6 |
| Restaurant or deli chicken schnitzel sandwich | $12-15 for 1 sandwich |
As you can see, buying frozen schnitzels from Aldi or breading your own fresh chicken breasts is the most budget friendly option per serving. Restaurant or premade deli schnitzels cost over 3 times more per piece! Air frying chicken schnitzel is economical and convenient.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Air fried chicken schnitzels store well and reheat easily:
Storage
– Allow schnitzels to cool completely before storing.
– Place in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag.
– Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
– Can also freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
Reheating
– Preheat oven or air fryer to 300°F-325°F.
– Place refrigerated or thawed frozen schnitzels on a baking sheet or air fryer basket.
– Heat through for 10-15 minutes until hot, 165°F internal temperature.
– Crisp up the breading at 375°F for a couple minutes if desired.
– Microwaving is not recommended, as it makes the breading soggy.
Be sure to reheat fully until steaming hot and the crust is crispy again. Enjoy your leftovers!
Conclusion
Air frying is an easy, healthier cooking method that makes deliciously crispy chicken schnitzel with less oil and fat than traditional frying. Aldi’s high quality frozen breaded chicken schnitzels are the perfect item to pop into your air fryer. In just 8-12 minutes, you can enjoy a hot, juicy, crunchy schnitzel without the mess and smell of frying on the stovetop.
Air frying locks in natural flavor and juices while cutting calories compared to deep frying. By following the tips in this article, you are sure to get outstanding results. Serve your air fried chicken schnitzel in a variety of ways or use leftovers for meals throughout the week. This tasty dish makes a quick, budget-friendly dinner the whole family will love!